PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It is not a big-ticket item in Mayor Nutter’s new budget, but police hope some new cash for rewards could help them solve the worst crimes.

Both the Citizens Crime Commission and the Fraternal Order of Police regularly offer rewards for information leading to arrests after particularly heinous crimes. But until now, the city itself hasn’t given reward money directly. That changes in the Mayor’s new spending plan.

Budget Director Rebecca Rhynhart says $500,000 is being set aside.

“That reward fund will be used in assisting serious criminals such as the Kensington killer. This will not be funded every year. It will be funded when it is drawn down and needs to be replenished,” Rhynhart said.

Rhynhart says it was the search for the Kensington killer earlier this year made clear the need for a city-funded reward program.